How to choose the best fridge freezer
If you’re looking for a new fridge freezer, this guide will give you the information and insights you need to make an informed choice. As a global leader in home appliances, we know a thing or two about what makes the best fridge freezers worth buying. So you can choose the perfect device to keep food fresher for longer and make your life at home a little easier.
Wondering which fridge freezer to buy? This guide covers combination fridge freezers with the freezer at the bottom, which is the UK’s most popular style. You’ll also find information about built-in fridge freezers and the latest fridge freezer features and technologies. We’ll then provide advice on how to get the most from your appliance.
When it comes to buying a fridge-freezer, we believe you should make an informed choice to suit your household perfectly.
Need help looking for a replacement fridge freezer?
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Most high-quality fridge freezers will come with a warranty of several years. Bosch models are offered with a 2 to 5-year warranty, depending on the model. Still, you can expect your fridge freezer to last much longer than that. Learn more about Bosch warranty.
Fridge freezers typically last between 10 and 15 years before they need replacing. So if you take proper care of your appliance, there should be no need to buy a new one for at least a decade after purchasing it.
Fridge freezer types
There are quite a few different cooling appliance styles available, from separate compact freezers to wide American-style fridge freezers. UK households’ most popular style is the combination fridge freezer with the fridge at the top and the freezer at the bottom.
These models are 60cm wide as standard. Need more room? We now have new 70cm wide versions for extra space – all of which come in differing heights to offer the best compromise between storage capacity and floor space.
When choosing a fridge freezer, it’s worth noting that larger external dimensions don’t always mean more internal storage. It’s worth checking internal capacity to see if it fits the needs of your home and family.
There are benefits to both integrated (built-in) and freestanding fridge freezers. The type you choose should depend on your kitchen space and household needs.
Suppose you’re installing your fridge freezer in a fitted kitchen. In that case, you might favour an integrated model to blend in with your units. Integrated fridge freezers can look seamless and stylish and help make the most of your available space. These fridge freezers only take up space that would have been used by cupboards and don’t require any additional floor space.
There’s a broader choice of freestanding fridge freezers available, and they’re generally a bit cheaper to buy. They also don’t need a fascia panel and are quicker to install; you’ll simply plug it in and enjoy! Freestanding fridge freezers are now available in a range of colours and styles, so you can create some character in your kitchen if you choose one of these.
You need an integrated fridge freezer hinge for built-in models to connect the door of your appliance to the unit it sits behind. These specially-designed hinges mean your fridge freezer will open when you open the cabinet door. So you won’t need to move two doors to get into your fridge.
- Lowest power usage: ideal for smaller households. Cut down on your electricity bill by only using what you need.
- Space efficiency: by combining both fridge and freezer you leave much more space in your kitchen.
- Flexible sizing: from 55cm up to 86cm XXL you are sure to find an appliance to fit your niche.
- Customisable storage: what combination models lose out in capacity, they make up with storage flexibility thanks to VarioZone.
- Wide not deep: by halving the door size, you can get a big capacity without the door cutting into your kitchen walkway.
- Internal Water Dispenser: gives you cool and pure water from inside keeping the front of your appliance visually clean.
- Automatic Ice Cube Maker: Ideal for cocktails and summer drinks, the automatic ice cube maker is on hand whenever you need it.
- Effortless Access: the 3 door design not only looks fantastic, it also gives you great access from a variety of angles.
Learn more about our American Style/ Multi-door fridge freezers here.
- XXL Capacity: full size fridge and freezer in one appliance.
- External Ice and Water Dispenser: get ice and fresh water without needing to open your appliance door.
- NoFrost: Never defrost again with Bosch side by side Fridge Freezers.
- Load with ease: open both doors to effortlessly organise your shopping into your fridge and freezer at once.
Learn more about our American side by side fridge freezers here.
Fridge freezer sizes
Every home is different, and different fridge freezer sizes will be suitable for unique spaces. A standard fridge freezer size is 60cm wide. These models should fit into most cabinets or look good freestanding too. If you need more space, you might want to choose a more expansive 70cm model and enjoy extra storage in your appliance.
Do fridge freezers need air space around them? Yes, your appliance will need a little room to breathe and ventilate air. This is especially important around the back and at the top of your fridge freezer.
You should try to leave at least a 2 to 3cm gap around your fridge to get the best use out of your appliance.
Fridge freezer splits
When you’re choosing a new fridge freezer, you’ll want to give some thought to the split that’s best for you. What is a fridge freezer split? It’s the amount of space taken up by the fridge and freezer parts of your appliance. Standard fridge freezer splits are 70/30 or 60/40. That means 70% fridge and 30% freezer, or 60% and 40% if you choose the latter option.
Once you’ve decided on the size and style of your fridge freezer, look out for well-designed storage features and can help you keep your food and drinks organised and easy to access.
Features like integral bottle racks stop bottles rattling around, and they don’t take up a whole shelf either. Adjustable shelves and fully extendable drawers make it easy to move things up and down or in and out, maximising the space available for the items you buy each week.
Bosch’s BigBox is a great example, taking care of more oversized frozen items, so you don’t need to rearrange the freezer every time you buy something. View more videos of our fridge freezer features here.
How much does it cost to run a fridge freezer?
Fridge freezers cost around £60 a year to run. Your fridge freezer will be switched on and working 24/7, so it pays to choose an energy-efficient model that can save you money on your electricity bills. The amount your appliance costs per day will depend on its size and how full it is – empty fridge freezers can cost more!
What are the latest fridge freezer trends and technology?
Suppose you haven’t bought a new fridge freezer for a while. In that case, you might not be familiar with the latest design and technology developments. The best new fridge freezer models are packed with features to save time and energy and are designed to keep your food fresher longer.
From innovative fridge freezers with internal cameras to clever storage features that keep different foods optimally cooled, there are many exciting features to look out for.
Fridge Freezer Features & Benefits
How can I stop having to defrost my freezer by hand?
Manually scraping ice from your freezer is time consuming and hard work. It can also lead to a loss of food if not done quickly enough, and also uses a lot of energy when the freezer tries to cool down again. Thankfully features like Bosch NoFrost consign manual defrosting to the past. Built-in sensors monitor condensation levels and remove them from the freezer before they get the chance to turn to ice.
Click the video or find out more here
How can I keep food fresher for longer in my fridge freezer?
Bosch’s Vitafresh system keeps food fresher for longer with temperatures from -1°C to +3°C while maintaining the perfect humidity level. This combination of temperature and humidity helps to protect the aromas, essential nutrients and valuable vitamins in your fresh food. There are different versions available on Serie 4, 6 and 8 models, including twin drawers for storing fish/meat and fruit/veg separately and in their perfect environments. VitaFresh makes it easier for you and your family to eat healthily every day.
Click the video or find out more here
View NoFrost fridge freezers here
How can I reduce the amount of plastic I use?
Single-use plastic bottles pose a significant environmental problem, but a fridge freezer with built-in water dispenser can drastically reduce your own impact. Some Bosch models feature a water dispenser with Brita filter, so you’ve always got a ready supply of chilled, filtered water when combined with a reusable bottle or flask.
View VitaFresh fridge freezers here.
How can a fridge freezer help me to save time?
It’s easy to save time in the long run by doing your homework upfront. Look for flexible storage solutions and LED lights that make it easier to store and find items in a packed fridge. Not to mention exciting innovations like Bosch’s NoFrost, eliminating the need for manual freezer defrosting.
How can I save money and reduce food waste?
Food waste and its associated cost are continuing problems in the UK. It can be easy to overlook food in your fridge or freezer if you can’t easily see it. Clever storage solutions like Bosch’s VitaFresh drawers are a great answer to this problem.
They store different food types at the best temperature and humidity and make food easier to find. Food waste can be avoided by looking out for appliances with built-in door alarms. These let you know if the fridge or freezer door has been accidentally left open, so you can avoid fresh produce spoiling while you’re out for the day.
Are there any other features to help reduce food waste?
Bosch FreshSense maintains a constant temperature in the fridge and freezer interior to help preserve freshness and flavour. FreshSense’s sensors constantly monitor and control the ambient fridge and freezer temperature. Activating Bosch’s SuperCooling function before you go shopping reduces the temperature of the fridge temporarily so that it’s ready to cool your groceries down as soon as you return home with them. And Bosch SuperFreeze freezes food faster and protects existing frozen food from defrosting when you put new food in the freezer.
Need more help finding your perfect cooling appliance?
Let us help you find your perfect fridge-freezer.
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What are the latest Bosch Fridge Freezers?
Fridge freezer care
You’ll want to ensure you’re taking good care of your new fridge freezer if you’re going to get the most out of it. Maintaining your appliance means saving money and reducing energy consumption. It will also help it last for many years to come.
Stay on top of your fridge freezer cleaning with all the proper tools and solutions for the job. For example, suppose you have a fridge freezer with a built-in water filtration system. In that case, make sure your filter is replaced every 6 months or whenever your appliance tells you.
Need help with caring for your Bosch fridge freezer? Find helpful suggestions with our online appliance assistant or call the friendly customer care team to chat with an expert.